Automobile dash panel



April 2l, 1931.

aan@ in. 21.1931 l A1,801,1,7zm

- umrso ,sr/iras PATENT; OFFICE minnaar J. woonannum mmm s, RANDALL or Dmnorr, MICHIGAN, As-F srenons 'ro woonam. mnusrnnis nrconrom'iim on pmi-aon, iucmenmaconf ronmon or meinem A `Mr'ioiriaim: msn mimi. appumien nea november is, iea. tseran no. moge.

Our invention relates to an imeiroved panel unusually high insulating properties as and particularly to an improv dash panel against heat and sound. for an automobile. \This core Jis provided with a tough, strong, Metal plates have heretofore been used for fiexible, reinforcing and protective outer this pur ose but metal being a good con- -layen\22, which supports and protects its 55 ductor o both heat and sound served only too loosey matted iibres inding them together well tocommunicate the heat Vand sound of and orming a strong rugged anel strucil the engineto the interior of the body. Wood ture. A. composition libre boar carrying ahasalso been used but, while not a good coli-I substantial asphaltum content forms a suit- 1 ductor of heat and sound it failed to properly able outer layer forv the core. Such outer insulate against it and it was thick, heavy, layer structure is closely compacted and is and expensive. Both wood and kmetal restron rugged and durable. When subquired an outer finish. jectev to slow pressure or heat and pressure Our improved panel is light, durable, it is flexible permitting bending and shaping 15 strong, inexpensive, and possesses unusually thereof without rupture. hIt is'capable of 65 high insulating properties as against heat and being embossed or stamped in a die whereby sound. 3 A it maybe givenl an outer finish suitable for e* While possessin high insulating prop theiiiterior of an automobile body. erties, it is neverthe ess capable of being bent 'I his outer layer may ypreferably be adand shaped as desired and has a required hesivly secured to the loosely matted cqre zo rugged stability necessaryfor the pur ose for formlng an integral structure therewith, linwhieh it' is intended to be employe Itis apable of bemg separated without destroy- .capble of Stamped or embossed lng Phe Panel.. preferred form 0f Spaniel give to it a finish suitable for the interior of CODSISS 1n the provision of such an outer an automobile body. layer upon each side of the core. It binds 75 These and Other desirable characteristics the loosel; matted core'libres together and will more fully 'ap ear from the following so holds t ein in place that the entire panel description, appened claims and geommay be held t0 retaln 8. bent O1' deformed panying drawing, wherein: Shape- 30 '1 is a, front elevation 0f an automo- The lOOSely integrated fragile Cellular COIe 30 bile as lipanel-'embodyiiig our invention, structure furnishes the required insulation Fig. 2 isa rearelevation of a fragment of against heat .and noise and the tough fiexithe pane] Shown in Fig, 1, 1 b e closel compacted outer layers which Fig.3 isasectional view through the layers POSSSS 19 tively 10W msulatmg PIOPQIGS '935 of material usedto form our lpanel. ful'msl the necesslly Strength, exlblhtya 85 Fig. 4 is asimilar sectional view through Proctlon and msh and Pelmlt the de* `tlie completed panel bent to form a recess Sired fshapn of the .and Structure therein. Y v While wel o not wis to limit ourselves to Y i any partie ar material as constituting the' 40 oflfigg' asectlonis'i vlewtakenpn Ime 5`5 best 'or only available construction for our bo This improved pmi has a eene aofformed. eedngfrleru have, found th a fabri` `of loosely integrated cellularv fibres, h'illgVA without the use of chemical rocesses to f mnumerable m Spams thembetwefn und be' exgtremelyfwell'adapted for ur purposet.)e v fuse 0f, the ceullar chlf'ctfr an@ 1009915' 4For our purposes it is preferable that the N5 l matted nature of the fibres 1t 1S fl'gll, 1191*'- coi'ebe constructed of a board manufactured i .'mally resilientlycompressible, practically 1n-- exitirely from wood fiber and which may be exible without rupture andsulliciently 'subproduced from cleanv wooden chips by the stantial to be'self su po against the explosion thereof at high pressure. In this Je disintegrating effect o wear, ut mmway the natural strengtliand wooden comino ced from a long fiber pulp position of the corel is maintained while at the same time the high degree of insulating value both as to heat and to sound is incorporated in its physical characteristics. A very considerable amount of rigidity is maintained in a core so constructed, but the myriad of small air cells formed in and between wood chip explosion process necessaryT insulating qualities. A fiber board very well adapted to the purposes described herein and substantially like the core structure described above is now marketed under the name of Masonite Again we wish we have described herein in some detail material which is admirably suited to the improved panel which constitutes the subject matter of our invention, various other struc-v tures may be utilized.

In Fig. 1 an automobile dash panel 24: of common form is shown in elevation. It is rovided with a plurality of openings 26 or conduits, rods, wires, etc. These openings may preferably be enlarged on the rear side as shown in the fragmentary rear elevation of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 3 the core 20, with'the loosely matted fibres which constitute it, are shown as separated .from the two outer layers 22, which may preferably be formed of a closely compacted fibre board carrying a heavy asphaltum content. These outer layers are fastened to the core with a suitable adhesive anda structure so formed is shown in Fig. 4..

A panel of this character which possesses rigidity, substantial spring, and which comprises an integral complete structure adapts litself very readily to quick assembly due to the fact that it may be supported to be passed along the assembly line and when fastened in place it is entirely complete.

What we claim is:

the various fibers resulting from the. provide theA it understood that' while tic sheet material secured upon one side of the core reinforcing and protecting the core, which outer layer contains a binder content securing its fibers together and possessing the characteristic of responding to heat and pressure to assume and permanently retain a deformed shape and to hold the core material to such shape.

3. A panel structure of the character described comprising, in combination, a core layer of loosely integrated fibrous material possessing high sound and heat insulating properties and low wear resisting properties and being substantially incapable alone of permanently retaining a deformed shape, and an outer layer permanently secured to said core layer forming in' integral structure therewith, said outer layer comprising fibrous composition material carrying a substantial asphaltum content and possessing the characteristic of responding to heat and pressure to assume and permanently retain a deformed shape and to hold said core to said deformed shape.

4:. A laminated panel structure of the character described, comprising, in combination,

a core layer of loosely integrated fibrous 1. An automobile dash panel comprising a f loosely packed porous fibrous core possessing high heat and sound insulating properties and low wear resisting properties, which core is resiliently compressible but substantially inflexible and incapable of deformation without rupture, said core provided on both outer surfaces with outer layers of tough elastic flexible composition fiber material containing i a substantial asphaltum content and possessing low insulating properties but great strength and durabilityl and the core material binding the vsame together whereby the entire panel may be bent and shaped without being ruptured.

2. A panel having a core consisting of loosely matted cellular fibres characterized by being fragile, -practically inflexible, resiliently compressible, and possessing high heat and sound insulating properties but low wear resisting properties, and a closely compacted fibre composition outer layer of thermoplasintegrated with 

